Winthrop University
Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday, October 30, 2025
9:00 a.m.
Gold Room | DiGiorgio Campus Center
Winthrop University | Rock Hill, South Carolina
Board Members Present – Trustees Joel Hamilton (Chair), Kathy Bigham, John Brazell, Ed Driggers, Randy Imler, Rick Lee, David McDonald, Tim Sease, Sandra Stroman, Isaiah Venning, Ashlye V. Wilkerson, and Gary Williams
Board Members Absent – Trustee Janet Smalley
President’s Cabinet Present – President Edward Serna, Shelia Burkhalter, Kevin Butler, Beverly Gilliam, Kevin Hughes, Joseph Miller, Tammie Phillips, Chuck Rey, and Sebastian van Delden
Other Attendees Present – Amanda Hackney (Staff Conference), Hannah Small, Linda Warner (Foundation Board representative), Ellen Wilder-Byrd, and Victoria Williams (Council of Student Leaders)
(Only attending Trustees, President Serna, President’s Cabinet, Board Staff, and others presenting or participating in the meeting are noted as attendees).
The Board of Trustees met on Thursday, October 30, 2025, on the campus of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Roll Call to Establish Quorum
Secretary to the Winthrop Board of Trustees Tammie Phillips took the role and confirmed a quorum of the Trustees.
Public Notice
The meeting agenda was posted on the Winthrop University website with proper notice
of the meeting. The meeting was held in accordance with the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA).
Call to Order and Welcome
A quorum being present, Chair Hamilton called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m., gave an invocation and welcomed all attending.
Opening Remarks
Chair Hamilton noted the good news that was reported the previous day in the committee
meetings. He remarked on the huge amount of trust between the Board of Trustees and
the leadership and staff, saying that it is amazing what happens when everyone is
working together. He thanked President Serna for removing the silos at Winthrop and
commended him on the great momentum at the University. He noted this meeting as the
first full Board meeting without good friend and previous Chair Glenn McCall. Chair
Hamilton called Glenn an institution around Winthrop and noted everyone had the utmost
respect for him as a leader and as a person. He said his legacy continues and Glenn
will be honored later today in board action, but he noted that the most important
way that Trustees can honor Glenn is by continuing faithful stewardship of this University.
Trustee Williams then moved for the Honorary Doctorate for Mr. Glenn McCall to be removed from the consent agenda and requested that it be voted on as a standalone item. Trustee Sease seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Consent Agenda
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to approve the consent agenda related to resolutions passed by the committees the previous day, with the amendment of removal of the Honorary Doctorate for Mr. Glenn McCall, and to accept the June 26, 2025, and August 27, 2025, minutes. Trustee Imler moved to approve with a second from Trustee Brazell. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Trustee Willliams noted previous Chair McCall’s love for Winthrop and mentioned his commitment to the trustees. He encouraged all Trustees to attend the December 20, 2025, commencement ceremony to honor Glenn and his family. Trustee Williams moved to approve the Honorary Doctorate resolution. Coming from committee the previous day, the motion required no second. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
President’s Update
President Serna discussed the excitement and positive energy on campus and all the
great things going on. He commended the Vice Presidents for their leadership and hard
work related to Winthrop: United in Excellence, the University’s strategic plan. He
discussed initiatives and projects that are paving the way for the future. President
Serna plans to have a State of the University in the new year to update the campus
on the strategic initiatives.
Committee Reports
Committee on Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Enrollment
Trustee Imler (Committee Chair) reported on enrollment, noting that retention of freshmen is 74% and retention of transfers is 79%. Winthrop is more affordable for students today than it has been over the past several years due to the tuition transparency initiative. Undergraduate enrollment is at 4,289 and graduate enrollment is at 998, leading to total enrollment of more than 5,200. Student Affairs had provided an update on the Career Center as well as student housing recommendations and alternatives, considering the enrollment growth. Academic Affairs had shared information about a new tool for students to provide feedback on professors, as well as general education review and new degree programs that will be coming soon.
Committee on External Engagement and Athletics
Trustee Williams (Committee Chair) reported on the great things that are going on in University Advancement with additional funds raised and notable donors. He reminded the trustees as part of the campaign’s silent phase they will be contacted soon. He noted the fundraising numbers are up and the division is fully staffed. He welcomed the new Winthrop Foundation Executive Director Courtney Jurado and recognized the enthusiasm that she brings. On the Athletics front, he noted student-athletes’ academic success, recent team and individual achievements, and the possible addition of new sports to enhance the program. External outreach in Athletics is close to last year’s total. He mentioned the brand development process and the presentation in the portal for trustee viewing.
Committee on Strategic Planning and Facilities
Trustee Driggers (Committee Chair) reported that the committee continues to monitor progress on the current strategic plan and noted the need to start thinking about the next strategic plan. The process needs to continue seamlessly so Winthrop can leverage what is being done today to what leadership knows the institution needs to be doing three years from now and going forward. He said, “We never want to get to the end of the plan and not know what we're going to do next.” He noted Trustees had input in the plan and the luxury of being able to approve it, but that the implementation is in the hands of leadership, faculty and staff. He expressed gratitude to the faculty, staff and cabinet and the success of being able to take the strategic plan pillars and implement related initiatives throughout the university. He also reported on facility improvements, renovations and construction projects, the new planned residence hall, career services center improvements, and the transition to the new maintenance contract.
Committee on Finance and Audit
Trustee Sease (Committee Chair) commented on the positive momentum going on at Winthrop and credited President Serna and his team. He reported on the audit presentation and the importance of an outside counsel doing an examination of all of the financial controls and systems. He also discussed the importance of the internal audit because it adds to the credibility of what is happening at Winthrop.
Reports of Affiliated Groups
Report of Faculty Conference
Faculty Conference Chair Adam Glover was unable to attend due to his teaching schedule, but his report can be found on the portal.
Report of Staff Conference
Staff Conference Chair Amanda Hackney reported the staff professional development committee hosted a one-day conference with more than 100 staff in attendance. Planning for next year’s event has already begun. Staff conference has met twice this fall with attendance of approximately 100. University leadership approved the Staff Emeriti policy which recognizes dedicated staff who have 10 plus years of service upon retirement from the university. She invited the trustees to the fall festival on October 31.
Report of Student Government Association
SGA President Victoria Williams reported on the engaging and rewarding transition to SGA and the SGA elections. Within SGA, a number of events were hosted along with opportunities for students and more are to come. She acknowledged the hard work and dedication of her executive team.
Executive Session
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to enter executive session pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-70(a)(2) for receipt of legal advice where the legal advice relates to pending, threatened, or potential claim or other matters covered by the attorney client privilege. Trustee Lee moved to go into executive session, seconded by Trustee Imler. Motion to enter executive session passed by unanimous vote.
[Only the Board of Trustees, President Serna, Ashley Abel, Tammie Phillips, and Hannah Small remained for Executive Session.]
Motion to Leave Executive Session
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to leave executive session. Trustee Imler made a motion, seconded by Trustee Williams. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Chair Hamilton noted that no action was taken in Executive Session.
Consent Agenda
Chair Hamilton reported the consent agenda items listed on the full Board’s agenda relate to prior matters addressed in Board of Trustees committee meetings and full Board of Trustees meetings and which were voted upon previously by the Board. Most, if not all, of these topics were on the agendas of the Board Committees and/or the full Board’s agenda and were discussed in open public sessions. They came before the Board as committee recommendations and often fell under the Board’s consent agenda, a term used by the prior Board Secretary and General Counsel in the same manner. The Board actions have been challenged in court by the very same prior General Counsel who also served as the Board’s Secretary, even though, upon information and belief, all these agenda items and votes were conducted and prepared exactly as he had advised and did and were carried out as he had done when he was Secretary to the Board. The Board believes its prior actions were taken in compliance with the Board’s bylaws and applicable law, including the South Carolina FOIA. Nevertheless, in an abundance of caution and in order to neutralize the allegations in the prior Secretary’s lawsuit, the Board will now address these issues again, allow any public comment, and proceed to vote to approve and ratify those actions.
Motion to Approve Consent Agenda
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to approve the consent agenda related to items previously discussed in prior meetings. Trustee McDonald made the motion, seconded by Trustee Wilkerson. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Vice Chair Election
Trustee Sease (Committee on Nominations Chair) thanked Trustees Venning and Stroman for their work on the committee. The recommendation from committee is Trustee Kathy Bigham as Vice Chair. Chair Hamilton called for a motion to elect Trustee Bigham as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. Trustee Lee made the motion, seconded by Trustee McDonald. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
New Business
No new business was discussed.
Old Business
No old business was discussed.
Adjournment
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Wilkerson made
such motion, with a second from Trustee Driggers. Motion passed unanimously. Hearing
no objections, Chair Hamilton adjourned the meeting at 11:37 a.m.
Minutes submitted by Tammie C. Phillips.
